02 August 2018

Paper industry on the upswing

The country's paper industry has been on a positive growth trajectory as the demand for paper rising on both the local and international markets, insiders said. Only a few years back, imported paper met a large portion of domestic demand, but now the market share and the capacity of local manufacturers has grown significantly, they observed.

The number of paper mills has now increased to over 80 from around 50 five years ago, while 15 or 20 more units are set to go into operation soon, sources said. The industry, which is churning out around 1.5 million tonnes of paper a year, has generated 1.0 million direct and indirect employments.